Today I am riled up. As a woman who has (and loves) her tata’s, I was appalled at the news that the Susan G. Komen Foundation did not renew their grant with Planned Parenthood.
These funds were being used to provide 170,000 clinical breast exams and referrals for more than 6,400 mammograms over the past five years. Those are a lot of boobs being checked out. A lot of boobs that might have gone unexamined if not for the partnership of Planned Parenthood and Susan G. Komen.
Sigh.
So here is the thing. I have a history with both of these organizations. As a teen I went to PP for my birth control. As an uninsured adult I went to PP for my annual exam. I have always been so thankful that such a place exists for women. If we are to live in a nation where healthcare isn’t accessible to everyone (BIGGEST SIGH), we are truly blessed to have such organizations as Planned Parenthood.
A few years ago my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was one of those moments where the air was taken from my lungs and I felt hope seep from my pores. I had been sheltered from the horrible arms of cancer reaching my family, and there it was. Staring us in the face and attacking my beautiful, young aunt.
So I walked. 60 miles through Seattle, Kirkland and beyond. It was fucking hard work. I didn’t train, and as my knee begin to give out and my feet felt like they were on fire I thought, “hmmm. So this is why you train for things…” I finished the walk with my team, Areola Borealis, and was so proud that we had come together to give the middle finger to breast cancer. I walked under the banner of Susan G. Komen because I believed that we, as women, were all in this together.
This whole thing has just left the worst taste in my mouth.
Reading article after article, I am trying to find a legitimate reason why the Susan G. Komen Foundation would do such a thing. I am hoping to find something that will lead me to believe they aren’t swayed by some horrible political agenda created by right-wing tea partiers who seem to be against human rights (SERIOUSLY?!) So far, this search has been less than fruitful. My oh my, Komen… are you really giving in to these bigots? I thought women’s health was more important to you. I am ashamed.
I believe that Patrick Hurd, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Virginia, whose wife is currently battling breast cancer, sums it up nicely:
“It sounds almost trite, going through this with Betsi, but cancer doesn’t care if you’re pro-choice, anti-choice, progressive, conservative,” Hurd said. “Victims of cancer could care less about people’s politics.”
So yes, today I am riled up. Today I am not going to ramble on about running or the soup I made, as all of that seems miniscule. Those of you interested in doing something about this, I recommend clicking on the links listed below that will allow you to voice your opinion and let the Susan G. Komen Foundation know that what they are doing is completely, utterly and totally 100% fucked up.
Save the Ta Ta’s… for real.
Links:
- Cecile Richardson, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, tells us how we can help
- Daily KOS Petition
- Tell the board of Susan G. Komen: Don’t throw Planned Parenthood under the bus!
UPDATE: On a much, much, MUCH happier note—the Washington State senate just passed the marriage equality bill. TAKE THAT YOU HORRIBLE PEOPLE WHO DON’T WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO HAVE HEALTHCARE AND EQUAL RIGHTS. Sensibility always rules over crazy pants. I went from so pissed off to SO joyful in the last 30 minutes.
There is hope for humanity after all!!
Oms and Honey 